How can urban design promote physical activity and well-being among residents?

Engaging residents ensures the design meets their needs and enhances their physical activity and overall well-being. Well-being varies across different contexts, influencing how urban planning principles should be applied. This is why citizen participation is vital throughout the process, from conceptualization to implementation.

Urban design plays an important role in encouraging and facilitating physical activity. A suitable urban environment can increase motivation for physical activity and contribute to general health. The design of public spaces such as parks, gardens and squares can allow residents to easily access suitable spaces for walking, cycling and sports. Using appropriate lighting and landscape design that creates a sense of security can encourage people to be active in public spaces, especially at night.

It's important to understand the people the climate and physical conditions in an urban area. Then by involving the community, and explaining to them the benefits of physical activities, together with them urban designers can make a plan of how to create a physical environment that prompts a healthier life. As urban designers we should stop copy paste because then what we copy from different cities might not work in other cities. Like the outdoor activities in cold winter, Stockholm can't be implemented in outdoor winter in Dubai. That is why it's important to involve local communities and understand the context.

This TED Talk By Heatherwick says it all, especially in Portland Oregon where new and shinny LEED Buildings are praised and the "old" and historic is demolished. https://www.archdaily.com/1002817/emotional-architecture-how-contextual-solutions-can-fight-against-the-epidemic-of-boringness?utm_medium=email&utm_source=ArchDaily List&kth=2,445,530

You can be physically active without going to the gym, by walking or cycling to work or running errands, if your city favors active transport modes. Your kids can remain active if your city is safe for children to plan on the streets and offers plenty of parks an open air playgrounds. For sure, there are climatic considerations to take into account, and also, address the fact that cars are still seen as symbols of status in many communities. We need to stop car-oriented urban development and focus on people.

It is as simple as - MAKING IT AVAILABLE. We can indirectly influence residents by designing spaces/areas for sports and recreation in their neighborhood. People tend to get curious about things that they are constantly exposed to. If they have these spaces available in a 5-10 minutes they will be more likely to use them. Secondly, we need a GOOD INFRASTRUCTURE to support it. Making sure they have nice pedestrian zones, cycling paths connecting neighborhoods and recreational areas. Finally, it is necessary to KEEP THE RESIDENTS ENGAGED by creating programs and events to keep it fun. This way we contribute to sense of community and belonging. In a long-term view it sets us on a path to sustainable and healthy neighborhoods.

- Urban design can promote physical activity and well-being by creating walkable neighborhoods with safe, accessible pedestrian pathways and cycling infrastructure. - Incorporating green spaces, parks, and recreational facilities encourages outdoor activities and social interaction. - Mixed-use developments reduce reliance on cars, making it easier to integrate physical activity into daily routines. - Designing aesthetically pleasing and clean environments enhances mental well-being.

Urban design is crucial in promoting physical activities. It is what we call a walkable city. Small neighborhoods, parks, sidewalks, playgrounds, street furniture are necessary implementations that would drive people to exercise more. Our cities have become congested with large roads and big parking spaces and creative urban design has become more challenging than ever to come up with design concepts that are inviting for physical activities.

1. Walkable Streets: Design pedestrian-friendly pathways and routes through your developments. Encourage walking and active commuting. 2. Green Spaces: Create parks, plazas, and green corridors. Access to nature boosts mental health and inevitably generates physical activity. 3. Bike Infrastructure: Design bike lanes, secure cycle parking, and bike-sharing systems. Cycling promotes fitness, reduces congestion and traffic pollution. 4. Stairs and Active Spaces: Integrate stairs, outdoor gyms, and play areas. Make physical movement convenient and enjoyable.

Urban design can greatly boost physical activity and well-being by creating spaces that encourage movement and social interaction. Designing walkable neighborhoods with accessible parks, bike lanes, and pedestrian-friendly streets makes exercise a natural part of daily life. Incorporating recreational areas, like sports courts and fitness trails, promotes active lifestyles while also fostering community connections. Green spaces and well-planned public areas not only enhance mental health by providing relaxation spots but also make it easier for residents to stay active without needing to travel far. Overall, thoughtful urban design can seamlessly integrate healthy habits into everyday routines.

É crucial reconhecer o papel fundamental do desenho urbano na promoção da atividade física e na sustentabilidade ambiental. A integração do transporte ativo, como caminhar e andar de bicicleta, no tecido urbano não apenas beneficia a saúde, mas também contribui para a redução da pegada de carbono e melhoria da qualidade do ar. A infraestrutura adequada, como calçadas e ciclovias, aliada a um desenvolvimento de uso misto e proximidade de transporte público, desempenha um papel vital nesse contexto, incentivando escolhas mais saudáveis e sustentáveis no dia a dia urbano.

“Our public spaces are as profound as we allow them to be” – Candy Chang Investing in high-quality active public transport in urban areas not only encourages active lifestyles but also plays a crucial role in combating climate change. The convenience and efficiency of reliable active public transportation systems reduce reliance on individual cars, leading to decreased carbon emissions and improved air quality. As a result, the promotion of active public transport not only fosters healthier, more active lifestyles but also contributes to the broader global effort to address environmental challenges and create sustainable, resilient cities.

Active transportation is much more complex than providing an infrastructure for bikers. The climate plays a big role in whether biking would become the means of transportation and a healthy habit for most people.

In countries like India, where pedestrian pathways are inadequate, urban design can enhance physical activity by adopting "complete streets" that prioritize pedestrians and cyclists. For example, Pune's JM Road features extensive cycling tracks and wide sidewalks, enriched with vibrant street elements such as seating, landscaping, shading, and art installations, promoting active transportation. In Delhi, areas like Connaught Place and the revamped Chandni Chowk showcase pedestrian-friendly zones with dedicated walking spaces, improving accessibility and reducing congestion. Ahmedabad's Prahlad Nagar area illustrates mixed-use development, integrating residential, commercial, and recreational spaces, fostering walkable communities.

extend and connect all grade separated bike/ped trails in metro regions, so that people can and will travel all over their metro region recreationally without a car. In St. Louis, we would have a network of some 200-300 miles of dedicated bike paths, that connect to the Katy trail, and (someday) ultimately to the Kansas City trail network. once this is done in a metro I envision a series of 'BBB's' (Bike, bed, and breakfast) sprouting every 30-50 miles or so.

A bicicleta é um meio de transporte eficiente e benéfico para os usuários e para as cidades, a integração com ônibus, metro e trem é uma solução para o incentivo do seu uso no dia a dia. Para isto é imprescindível investir na expansão de redes cicloviárias, incluindo a criação de ciclofaixas, vias compartilhadas e de trânsito calmo. Proporcionando um ambiente seguro para os ciclistas e para o próprio pedestre. Disponibilizar sistemas de bicicletários públicos integrados com o transporte público, expandir e incentivar as bicicletas compartilhadas. A interação eficiente entre bicicletas e transporte público melhora a qualidade da mobilidade urbana, promovendo um estilo de vida mais saudável e sustentável.

In Brazil, we have adopted from the Portuguese an interesting way of prioritizing pedestrians in terms of travel time called the “viela”. This is a cut in the block, only accessible to non-motorized modes of transport, promoting more direct routes with faster connections. A viela is not always successful in my country due to the high levels of urban violence, but some are great examples of priority routes for walking.

Local administration should introduce policies and urban design guidelines which can provide transportation choices to users to suit various pockets. The modes of transportation lines should be overlapping within 10 min/ 20 min walking distances. Make sure to integrate transportation lines with green spaces creatively. Landscape Urbanism is the way forward for peaceful city life.

Urban design that integrates blue-green nature-based solutions, such as parks and green corridors, greatly boosts physical and mental well-being. These spaces offer opportunities for walking, picnics, play, and social gatherings, acting as natural stress relievers and mood enhancers. By creating inviting areas for diverse activities and community interaction, they promote a healthier lifestyle and enhance overall quality of life.

Los espacios verdes son vitales en las ciudades por varias razones que benefician tanto al medio ambiente como a la sociedad: Salud y Bienestar: Proporcionan un escape de la vida urbana agitada y estresante, ofreciendo un lugar para el ejercicio, la relajación y la conexión con la naturaleza. Mejora de la Calidad del Aire: Actúan como pulmones urbanos, absorbiendo dióxido de carbono y otros contaminantes, y liberando oxígeno. Control de la Temperatura Urbana: Ayudan a mitigar el efecto de isla de calor en las ciudades, proporcionando sombra y reduciendo las temperaturas extremas. Fomento de la Biodiversidad: Mejoran la biodiversidad al proporcionar hábitats para diversas especies de plantas y animales.

Landscape Urbanism is the way forward for peaceful and healthy city life. Hierarchy of green areas and blue areas need to be set up first before overlapping them with transportation and real-estate footprint.

Parks, waterways, and green spaces provide a natural draw for outdoor activities like walking, cycling, and picnics. Being in nature reduces stress and improves mood, further motivating people to get moving. Green and blue spaces become hubs for community events, encouraging social interaction during physical activity. Group fitness classes in the park or yoga by the river. Studies show that simply spending time near nature lowers blood pressure and heart rate. This translates to a reduced risk of chronic diseases and a boost in overall well-being, making physical activity more enjoyable and sustainable.

Especially in the face of climate change, we need to provide more drainable and humidifying public areas in the urban space. As I see it, European countries do better at valuing public space than underdeveloped countries that have problems with public safety, where people tend to lock themselves inside their homes.

As a famous quote goes, "We shape our buildings; thereafter, they shape us." What is valid for buildings is true for our cities as well. Most people outside of urbanism do not realise how influential a built environment is upon their mental and physical health. It is not an architectural crisis; it is an educational crisis. It is well understood that walkable cities designed with ample open, green and social spaces witness lower crime and pollution since people use cars less if they can walk and commit fewer crimes if they are healthy and have a community they care about. Well-designed cities thrive on social inclusion and community participation because if a city is to be maintained successfully, people must care about it and each other.

The principles of inclusive urban design involve creating spaces accessible to diverse demographics. Mixed-use developments, combining residential, commercial, and recreational areas, promote physical activity and community. Public spaces designed for interaction, along with community-driven design processes, foster social cohesion. Prioritizing cultural preservation in architecture and infrastructure enhances the community's identity. Active transportation and flexible spaces for creative expression contribute to vibrant, diverse, and physically active urban environments. Overall, these elements aim to create inclusive, dynamic spaces that celebrate community diversity and encourage physical activity.

This is the topic of Jane Jacobs, who guaranteed the inclusion of even old buildings and residents, in order to preserve the aspects of neighborhoods and bonds created between people and buildings, resulting in a diversity not only of people, but also of buildings.

wherever possible, and especially in/near downtowns, take elevated/depressed highways, put them in tunnels, and put boulevards on top with tree-lined sidewalks and wide planted medians. reconnecting different parts of the urban core (and suburbia too for that matter) will encourage more walking/biking too and from one neighborhood to another.

It is such pleasure to be able to share my experience in this article. As a Brazilian sustainable architect and cyclist living in Orlando, Florida, I try to commute by bicycle to work at least once per week, and Orlando has a good bike paths system that I can use with the help of Google Maps. I wish the companies could consider to have shower in their restrooms, but it seems to be rare, I use the Gym close to work. The day I come to work by bicycle it is always a better day when I have the chance to exercise and experience the city in a different perspective and speed, riding throughout parks and bike path where you can't go driving a car.

One trick: hide the elevator - show the stairs first. or push the car parking further away than the bike parking. Make user-friendly decisions when you design. If it's easier, people will move.

Urban design can promote physical activity and well-being by creating interactive spaces with diverse functions that integrate into residents' daily movement patterns. For example, situating amenities like parks and public transportation hubs within walking or biking distance encourages incidental physical activity as residents commute. Group parkings located away from central work clusters further incentivize walking or biking, contributing to improved health and community engagement.

Urban design influences not only non-motorized transport, but also public transport: I like to think of public transport as a “pedestrian accelerator”, since good public transport only works where the city is also designed for pedestrians.